Psalms 32

Verse 1. David. There is no title in Heb.; and the Greek copies vary. This psalm may be considered as a continuation of the former, with the last verse of which it may be well connected. Calmet.—Some suppose that David composed it after he had been rescued from the giant Jesbibenob. verse 16. 1 Chronicles 20:4. Ferrand.—It is not certain that he is the author; but as other psalms without a title are ascribed to him, we have no reason to deny that he wrote this. Bert.—Many explain it as a thanksgiving of Ezechias. Theod. and so forth—But we need not refer it to any particular event. Calmet.—Upright. But it is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner. Sirach 15:9. Worthington. Psalms 68:16. Calmet.

Verse 2. Psaltery. Hebrew nebel, ( Bible.) which does not resemble the modern psaltery. Calmet.—We must carefully observe mortification, and the decalogue. Worthington.

Verse 3. New. Interesting, like the canticle of the lamb, or of redemption, Apoc. Public worship and music are very useful, when performed with attention. Bert.—The prophet invites all to praise God for the blessings granted by Christ in the new law. Worthington.—Noise, proceeding from the heart, the cry of which alone penetrates heaven. Bible.

Verse 4. Faithfulness. He always fulfils his promises, and his laws are just; ( Worthington.) therefore he deserves our praise. Calmet. Psalms 144:13.)

Verse 5. Judgment. God joins these virtues together, ( Worthington.) as we ought to do. Bible. Lu. 6:36. Matthew 5:48.—He punishes the wicked, and rewards the good. But his mercy displays itself on the earth, as there is no misery in heaven. Saint Augustine—Its effects appear more since the coming of our Saviour. Calmet.

Verse 6. Mouth, by his command. Euthym. Genesis 1:6.—The Fathers here find the blessed Trinity expressed; ( Calmet. Menochius.) and the Council of Trent admonishes us to follow their unanimous interpretation, which is here adopted by Baumbgarte, a Prot. 1719. Saint John informs us that all was made by the Word, from whom the Father and the Holy Spirit cannot be separated. Bert.—Seneca (consol. 8.) seems to have had some idea of this mystery. Quisquis formator universi fuit, sive ille Deus est potens omnium; sive incorporalis Ratio, ingentium operum artifex; sive divinus Spiritus, per omnia maxima et minima æquali intentione diffusus. The power of them may designate the stars and angels, which the Hebrew styles “the army” of heaven. Isaiah 24:21. Matthew 26:53. Calmet.—The word of God is omnipotent, ( Worthington.) “the Creator … both of visible and invisible things.” Nic. Creed. Bible.—Calvin rejects this proof of the Trinity as weak, (Amama) as he did not like the word Trinity, nor perhaps the mystery itself. Bible.

Verse 7. As in. This is agreeable to Saint Augustine and some ancient psalters; though the Septuagint have “like a bottle” made of leather, ωσει ασκον Moderns would translate, “like a heap.” But Sym. and Saint Jerome agree with us, (see Psalms 77:13. Calmet.) as well as the Chal. and Houbigant. God has made the bed of the sea capable of containing such quantities of water, some of which evaporate and descend again from the clouds, to make the earth fruitful. Yet many take no notice of this admirable economy. Bert.—Theodoret and S. Athanasius understand the clouds to be meant by this vessel; but the former sentiment seems better. These waters, as well as hail, and so forth are instruments of God’s vengeance. Deuteronomy 32:34. The depths have the same import. God calls them forth at pleasure, (Amos 5:8. Genesis 7:11) and confines them within bounds. Job 38:11.

Verse 9. Created. Hebrew “on foot,” to express God’s absolute dominion. Calmet.—This passage shews that bra means properly created out of nothing. Genesis 1. Matter did not exist before God spoke. Bert.

Verse 10. And … princes. This seems to be lost in Hebrew as all the Greeks have recognised it. Bert.—God prepares the causes and means when he forms his decrees, which are wholly independent. He is not forced to wait for a favourable opportunity. Calmet.—He confounded the tongues at Babel, and his absolute decrees are always executed. Worthington.